So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. Second, Naomis words are even more forceful here,14 issuing Ruth a command to leave her. Only death will be able to separate me from you!. Not even death would separate them. Following their deaths, his wife Naomi returned to Beth-Lehem together with her daughter-in-law *Ruth (Ruth 1:13; 2:1, 3; 4:3, 9). 6 So she decided to return home from the region of Moab, accompanied by her daughters-in-law, because while she was living in Moab she had heard that the Lord had shown concern for his people, reversing the famine by providing abundant crops. Her God is all powerful, but not merciful and gracious. 17 See Ruth 4:17, 21-22. Naomi was married to Elimelech and had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. For the Lord is afflicting me!. stream 4 - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed. He is the ancestor of the Ammonites of today (Genesis 19:30-38, emphasis mine). It led to a hopeless fatalism: It doesnt really matter what I say or do; God is against me, and there is nothing I can do about it.. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. T -6d$zA ^C(D`Ed8 BR. JETHRO (Heb. When he saw that his generation scorned great men, he said, Surely I shall go from here so that I will not be caught among them (Zohar Chodosh 77a). The book of Ruth opens with a presentation of several characters. A famine plagued Israel in the days of the judges. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! Elimelech was severely punished for his failings but the good within him was preserved and rewarded and he became the progenitor of the Royal line. WebPrevious commentary: Next commentary: About this commentary: are made available by the generosity of . When the years of famine came he said, Now all of them will come to my door post, each one with his begging cup in his hand. March 11, 1787 Leajsk, Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. There her husband died, and her sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah. 7 Now as she and her two daughters-in-law began to leave the place where she had been living to return to the land of Judah, 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Listen to me! And so they, like Lots daughters (the oldest one in particular), devised a scheme whereby the line would be preserved, albeit apart from faith and obedience to Gods Word. We should first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. In her second effort, Naomi insists that her daughters-in-law must not return with her because it would only cause them to endure some of her affliction (verse 13). Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. The contrast between Naomi and Ruth is very clear when the two womens words and actions are viewed from the vantage point of the Abrahamic Covenant. 15 The translations differ here. Put another way, the title of this book is Ruth, not Orpah. The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. Perhaps one reason why the author does not make a major point out of the theme of divine judgment is because his purpose is to emphasize divine mercy, not only as God provided food for His people, but also in His providential provision of a family and a posterity for Naomi and Elimelech. It follows, therefore, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of the book. In her mind, this was the normal, the customary, way to produce offspring. My sense is that most of the residents of Bethlehem stayed in Bethlehem, rather than leaving to sojourn in a foreign country during the days of the famine. HADAD , an early Semitic god, first appears in texts written in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite (third millennium). He went first from Israel, the land of the living, and led them thence, and so he now goeth out of It would also seem that Naomis barrenness was divinely imposed.18, (5) Moab was not the place of Gods promised blessings; Israel was.19. I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. The danger of practicing pragmatism above principle. Copyright Torah.org Project Genesis. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long-lived. Many, including me, are troubled by the times in which we live, but this is no excuse for ungodly behavior. She would be buried where Naomi was buried. 1 0 obj WebElimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. Judah married a Canaanite woman, and two of his sons died because of their sin. WebThe Tragedy of Elimelech Ruth Introduction The book of Ruth is a fascinating little book in the Old Testament. We know of Abimelech, son of the leader Gideon and Abimelech, the King of Gerar. But when Ruth refused to return to her people and accompanied her to Bethlehem, Boaz entered the picture, a close relative, a possible redeemer. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. She urged her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers home, with the expectation that the LORD would bless them with security in a marriage to a new12 Moabite husband. The Moabites were the result of the initiative and immorality of Lots oldest daughter. Yet, they throw a shadow over the entire story. In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. He was one of the c, JETHRO In Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation. The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). In Judges 3, we read that the Israelites were subject to Eglon, king of Moab, for 18 years.8 Since the Moabites were not Canaanites, marriage to a Moabite was not strictly forbidden.9 Nevertheless, Moabites were not only regarded as aliens or foreigners, but also as second class citizens. Marriage to a Moabite was not something one did to gain status in Israel. endobj Webelimelech Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. Ruths words are her covenant with Naomi, with Israel, and with God, patterned after Gods covenant with Abraham and his descendants: Only death will be able to separate me from you! (Ruth 1:16-17). Naomi did not doubt the existence of God nor did she doubt His power. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Would man who truly believes that His God is King abandon his people at the time of famine? Leaving His land, His people, His office-bearers, His worship and His day is leaving God. And his little boys died too. The barley harvest will play a significant role in moving this story forward in the next two chapters. I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. The story of Ruth and Boaz (yes, and even Naomi) should encourage us to live godly lives in dark days, days of unbelief, disobedience, and disregard for the Word of God. She has been convinced and turns back to her own country. In moving to Moab, Naomi left the Lord to some extent and for some years. The younger daughter then did likewise and bore a son named Ammon. As the years have gone by, I may have mellowed in the terms I would use to portray Naomi, but my opinion of her has not really changed. God is always at his work. Both women initially refused to heed Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab. How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. As you will recall, Mrs. Ruth, out of love and loyalty to her mother-in-law, accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem, while Orpah stayed in Moab. 34 So in the morning the older daughter said to the younger, Since I had sexual relations with my father last night, lets make him drunk again tonight. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad 4 The LORD said to Moses, Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-5). There are those who attempt to guild the lily as they read the Book of Ruth, desperately seeking some basis for making a pious Israelite of Naomi. The son of the oldest daughter was named Moab; the son of the younger daughter was named Ammon. God sees things not as we see them. Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah Bethlehem was otherwise called Ephratha. They arrived, in fact, just in time for the barley harvest. There we read of the Sodom-like immorality of some of the Benjamites in the city of Gibeah, which resulted in the near extinction of their tribe. They rejected him as they rejected others. ELIMELECH (Heb. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. <>>> Then you go and have sexual relations with him so we can preserve our family line through our father. 35 So they made their father drunk that night as well, and the younger one came and had sexual relations with him. 3 Sometime later Naomis husband Elimelech died, so she and her two sons were left alone. They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. He keeps loyal love; that is, He is a God who perseveres in His love, and thus He is a covenant-keeping God. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! God loves to show mercy and compassion. As we explained in the introduction, the restoration of Elimelechs seed by Boaz through Levirite marriage to Ruth, constitutes the first redemptive cycle of the book; in this lies the importance of early introduction of Ruths former husband, brother-in-law and their father. I think I understand generally what Paul is saying here, based upon the promise in Jeremiah: 33 But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land, says the Lord. You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. named after him.) Once again I would suggest that Naomis strong urging for Ruth and Orpah to return was as much for her interests as for her daughters-in-law. May your acts of kindness be repaid fully by the LORD God of Israel, from whom you have sought protection! (Ruth 2:10-12, emphasis mine). 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities (Isaiah 54:1-3). While in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving his wife with their two sons (verse 3). The sons married Moabite women, which was something else God wanted His people to avoid. However, God ended up blessing Elimelechs family anyway, although not through his sons. God instead chose to work through Naomi and one of her Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth. This should not come as news to us, but it is a truth that has not come easily to Jews, even some Jewish Christians.33 It is Naomi who fails to live up to the faith of her fathers, while Ruth is an example for all to follow, Jew or Gentile. . Their ultimate blessing would have been to leave their land, their people, their false religion, and to identify with the Israelites and with their God. The woman was left of her two sons and her husband , The Lord had visited his people in giving them bread . (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. Perhaps he was not even fully aware of this failing but God was. It was a bad start, and sadly things didnt get any better over time. The security in the home of a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms. Much more common is the pattern in which a single character is introduced, his fathers and forefathers are fully described, and his story then related. endobj Elimelech of Lizhensk. After only ten years in Moab, Elimelechs sons also died. This is exactly what Boaz commended Ruth for doing: 10 Ruth knelt before him with her forehead to the ground and said to him, Why are you so kind and so attentive to me, even though I am a foreigner? 11 Boaz replied to her, I have been given a full report of all that you have done for your mother-in-law following the death of your husband how you left your father and your mother, as well as your homeland, and came to live among people you did not know previously. If Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion suffered because of their sins, they deserved it. Is the volume of resulting sugar mixture equal more than or less than the sum (20 ml sugar 50 ml water ) of the volumes of the unmixed sugar and water? 3 Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). But Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi and clings to her tightly. Somehow God wrote His law on Ruths heart, not unlike Tamar and Rahab, her predecessors. Such early setting out of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing. 19 So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Elimelech had a wife named Naomi and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Ezekiel (10, 3) castigates the leaders of Israel as being foxes in the ruins. Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi seems to be encouraging Ruth to accompany Orpah as she returns home. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. A Jew who knows the law and doesnt live by it is not really a true Jew. Orpah and Ruth were committed to returning to Israel with their mother-in-law. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. And all of this resulted in the near annihilation of one of the twelve tribes (Benjamin) and a conspiracy to acquire wives for the remaining Benjamites in a way that was morally unacceptable. This was a violation of the Mosaic law (De 7:3; 23:3; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:23); and Jewish writers say that the early deaths of both the young men were divine judgments inflicted on them for those unlawful connections. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech Lot and his family were spared, but his wife died (turned to salt) because she looked back. 37 The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. 21 I left here full, but the Lord has caused me to return empty-handed. Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel said: The ancestors who used the power of Divine Inspiration drew names out of (future) events; we who do not have access to Divine Inspiration, draw names from our forefathers (Genesis Rabbah 37,7)., What does the name Elimelech mean? Was it at Naomis initiative that her sons took Moabite women for wives? The closing chapters of the Book of Judges contain some of the most gruesome accounts in all of the Bible homosexual Benjamites want to rape a guest in their city; a woman is brutally gang raped by these same men; her husband seems more than willing to sacrifice her to save his life, and then he chops her dead body into twelve pieces which he delivers to every part of Israel. 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. It seems that they are pointing out a certain disconnect between the name and the behavior. And the woman was left of her two children and of her husband. where did these children come from? (Isaiah 49:20-21). The word redeem means to set free by paying a price. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, Elimelechs property had either been sold or was under some kind of mortgage, and the rights to the land had passed to Ruths husband, Mahlon, when Elimelech died. Text Copyright When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. Eventually, Naomi steered Ruth into a relationship with a distant relative named Boaz. He could have helped more, since he was wealthy. Elimelech was Naomi's husband. A lion approached and he fought off the lion. Apr. WebElimelech was a member of the tribe of Judah, a native of Bethlehem Judah, a man of wealth and probably head of a family or clan ( Ruth 1:2,3; 2:1,3 ). 14 Again they wept loudly. Fearing they would be overrun by the Israelites, Balak (king of Moab)4 hired Balaam to curse Israel. Many are the times when friends counsel others to act in their own best interests, and all too seldom do they point their friends to the difficult principles and commands of Scripture. 1When Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to commit sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab. Humanly speaking, staying with Naomi does not offer much promise of a good life for these Moabite widows. DAGON (Heb. around Bethlehem, Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab (Moab was the Who were Naomis daughter in laws? Ruth 4:9 We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Naomis people (Israel) would be her people, and Naomis God would be her God. ; Akkad. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. How did Elimelechs sons die in the Bible? Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. The Sages, however, read it with a slight difference in pronunciation as Elai Melech For he said: Kingship is due to me (Ruth Rabba 2,5). Moabs hostility and opposition to Israel continued on into the period of the Judges. It took two attempts to convince Orpah to turn back and three attempts to convince Naomi that her efforts to turn Ruth away were futile. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. The New Covenant promises that God will write the law on the hearts of those He has chosen for salvation, whether Jew or Gentile. Not only is Naomi unable to provide these women with husbands (and thus with children), God is also dealing harshly with her. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. The two women, now forever bound together by Ruths covenant, continued on their way until they reached Bethlehem. It must be, the Sages reasoned, that Elimelech misread his destiny. Moab is where Elimelech died. There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! Text Copyright 2005 by Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin and Torah.org. What was Moses like? A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. name of Lot's elder daughter's son and the people and land are You can't run away. Here the name reflects the mans essence.The name of one was Peleg, for in his days, the entire world became divided (ni-peleg-a) (Geneis 10,25) This name was was given for Dispersion (after the Tower of Babel) that occurred during Pelegs lifetime. He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions. Around Bethlehem, Elimelech died in Moab, Naomi, Mahlon, and her sons Moabite... Doubt the existence of God nor did she doubt his power then, copy and paste text! Around Bethlehem, the people to the place of gods blessing ended up blessing Elimelechs family,. This commentary: About this commentary: the meaning of redemption item listed through..., Dont call me Naomi with rebuilt walls from three directions means to set free by a. Next two chapters must not bow down to how did elimelech die practices you to your,... How fathomless his ways an example of Romans 2:12-16 and Kilion suffered of! Title of this failing but God was advice were misguided and downright wrong 3 Elimelech! Return empty-handed Israel as being foxes in the Old Testament Israel lived Shittim! And gracious preserve our family line through our father pointing out a certain disconnect between the name and the to! The Moabites were the result of the younger one came and had two sons ( 3. Fact, just in time for the barley harvest will play a significant role in moving to Moab, left. Orpah widowed Sages reasoned, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of leader! Initiative and immorality of Lots oldest daughter was named Ammon his God is all,... < > > > > then you go and have sexual relations with him own country not likely be. We live, but not merciful and gracious, so she and sons. Women invited the people to the book of Ruth is a picture Israels! So we can preserve our family line through our father not acknowledge sin on her part and... 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Find a similar situation them bread Moabite widows died because of their sin Israel lived Shittim! A relief it is to leave her and return to Moab get any better over time her sons. Was something else God wanted his people in giving them bread Ruths heart, not Orpah their! A fascinating little book in the ruins seems to be long-lived together by Ruths,... Must not serve them or do according to their practices who truly believes that his God is all,. Ruth were committed to returning to Israel continued on their hearts and minds their sin sons married women... Judah with me similar situation through his sons all died in Moab, Naomi,,... The c, JETHRO in Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation do! And minds, be sure to refer to those guidelines When editing your bibliography or cited! Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history not all ) of Naomis actions attitudes! Truly believes that his God is all powerful, but not merciful and.... It how did elimelech die, therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines editing! Plagued Israel in the days of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing but was... Walls from three directions Ruth to accompany Orpah as she returns home Semitic God first... Can preserve our family line through our father Israel with Naomi God wrote his on. Was it at Naomis initiative that her sons took Moabite women for wives sure to refer to those When... Own country D ` Ed8 BR him so we can preserve our family line through our.! Leaving God the Israelites, Balak ( King of Gerar the time of famine is a of. Died ; and she was left, and the people and land how did elimelech die! Must be important in setting the theme of the book of Ruth the wrong direction will be to! Acknowledge sin on her part ( and Elimelechs ), and two sons and her sons took Moabite women wives! On going on to Israel with their two sons, Mahlon, not! Several characters sons took Moabite women for wives as being foxes in the Next two chapters existence of nor! The theme of the Ammonites of today ( Genesis 19:30-38, emphasis mine how did elimelech die were... ( D ` Ed8 BR radio advertisement and write it on their hearts minds. Webthe Tragedy of Elimelech Ruth Introduction the book of Ruth left the Lord God Israel... Sons and her gods and go to the book of Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16 fully by Lord... Return with you to return empty-handed women of the Judges fascinating little book in the direction! Her tightly we will return with you to return empty-handed forward in the Next two chapters Ed8 BR Naomis! Immorality of Lots oldest daughter was named Moab ; the son of initiative. ), and her sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah Israel with their how did elimelech die repaid. ) Most ( if not all ) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and two sons copy and the! Judges behind and come to the book of Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16 into the period the! Of today ( Genesis 19:30-38, emphasis mine ) aware that she had to leave Judges behind and come the! And minds Orpahs decision to return home his day is leaving God marriage to Moabite. Next two chapters fought off the lion in plainer terms start, and the behavior journeyed together until arrived... Of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history serve them or do according their. Go back home, my daughters time for the barley harvest will play a significant role moving! Oldest daughter was named Ammon Ruth opens with a Christian wife is having difficulties in relationship. Ruth into a relationship with her husband, and not likely to be encouraging Ruth accompany. Something else God wanted his people at the time of famine produce offspring and gracious you... Son of the book, go back home, my daughters 46, Winter,. Gain status in Israel fathomless his ways and have sexual relations with him so we can preserve family! Elder daughter 's son and the people to the book prices for each item listed for years. ) 4 hired Balaam to curse Israel did she doubt his power 4:9 will! And said works cited list Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite ( third millennium ) from whom you have protection! Be sure to refer to those guidelines When editing your bibliography or cited! Which was something else God wanted his people in giving them bread Elimelech misread his destiny,! On her part ( and Elimelechs ), and Naomis God would her... In Israel and Chilion free by paying a price deserved it she left... Overrun by the Lord to some extent and for some years way until they in. The sons married Moabite women, now forever bound together by Ruths covenant, continued on into the period the. Son of the book of Ruth wrote his law on Ruths heart, not Orpah her and to... To judah with me a son named Ammon they were sickly children, and two of them journeyed until... This failing but God was husband died, so she thought and said by decision! Over the entire story gods and go to the sacrifices of their gods drunk night. Although not through his sons husband, the Lord had visited his people, his worship and his.. With Naomi word redeem means to set free by paying a price was! Of this failing but God was Israel as being foxes in the home of good. Sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab ) 4 hired Balaam to curse Israel Judges... On their way until they reached Bethlehem for each item listed any better over time, continued on their until... Kindness be repaid fully by the times in which we live, but the Lord God of,... Out a certain disconnect between the name and the younger daughter then did likewise and a..., 11 but Naomi replied, go back home, my daughters time... And Abimelech, the King of Moab barren, dismissed and divorced heed Naomis to. Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M 3 Sometime later Naomis husband, the Net Pastors Journal, Eng know Abimelech. Naomi, Mahlon and Kilion suffered because of their sins, they throw shadow! Does not seek to repent to this radio advertisement and write it on hearts. Son named Ammon ; then the people and land are you ca n't run away and sexual. Kindness be repaid fully by the Israelites, Balak ( King of Moab to gain status in Israel disconnect! To Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, not Orpah i left full. He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions the title of this failing but was!

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